Low Cost Airlines
International travel has never been as easy as it is now. Or as cheap. With the rise of the budget airline and the subsequent competition between said airlines, cheap flights are commonplace. However, there has been a trade-off, and although we can now fly from London to Venice for £1, we can expect no frills. No meal, no pre-booked seats, extra costs for hold luggage, and airports at an interminable distance from the destination. There has even been talk of charging for use of the bathroom on Ryanair flights.
Ryanair and easyJet are the two main budget airlines, others include jet2, bmibaby and flybe, all based in the UK, and Wizz Air, Air Berlin and Germanwings, based on the continent.
Best Deals
With so much competition and the travel zeitgeist that has sprung up in recent years, budget airlines are always offering good deals, so it is a good idea to keep an eye out for them. Often, the best deals sell out quickly, so as soon as you hear about them, get online and get booking.
Be sure to check all the extra charges (easyJet includes taxes in its initial prices, Ryanair does not) before committing to the purchase, including the booking charge, which can be as high as £16. Different debit/credit cards have different booking charges, so if you are a frequent budget traveller, it may be worth applying for a Visa Electron, which is often a charge-free card.
For the best deals, travelling off peak is a top tip. School holidays are peak holiday times, but so are weekends, so for the best prices, mid-week travel is your best bet. In the same vein, less famous destinations will generally be cheaper. Be adventurous and open-minded and be happy to explore cities and countries you may not have considered before. Chances are, you will experience fascinating things in any foreign place you visit, so if you don’t have your heart set on a certain destination, you will save lots by choosing destinations by price.
Extra Charges
Although the extra charges can bump up the cost of your flights from 10 to 50%, certain perks are sometimes worth the money. For example, paying to stow your baggage in the hold can be a necessary expense if you’re carrying too much to fit in your hand luggage allowance. The average cost per flight is £8 per piece of luggage, which may significantly bump up the total cost, especially if the initial price was very low.
Purchasing drinks, snacks and meals on board is usually an expensive option, so if you’re looking to save money, it is worth bringing your own food along or buying it in the airport before the flight. Buying drinks in the airport is recommended as many carriers have restrictions on travelling with liquids not purchased within the airport.
Some airlines charge extra just to check in, which doesn’t really seem an extra service. If you’re travelling with hand luggage only, you will usually be able to check in online before the flight, which not only saves you money, but queuing time as well. It is another reason to try and travel with as little luggage as possible.
Paying extra for speedy boarding is a generally unpopular extra charge. The average price for this ‘luxury’ is £5, and although it will admit you on to the plane in the first batch of people, it still doesn’t guarantee a particular seat, and you will most likely be in the same batch as those who checked in online anyway. Those travelling with children under 5 will automatically be included in this first boarding group, so don’t need to purchase speedy boarding.
